Jonny Evans says no one would begrudge Michael O’Neill a move into club management as the odds were cut on him being Sunderland ’s next boss.

The former Newcastle United player will be in high demand after narrowly missing out on taking Northern Ireland to a second consecutive major tournament.

They were denied a place at next summer’s World Cup after their play-off with Switzerland was decided by a controversial penalty, conceded when the ball appeared to strike Evan’s brother Corry on the back. It was the only goal of the tie.

O’Neill, who lives in Edinburgh, has been linked with the Scotland and Rangers vacancies, as well as the United States of America, so luring him to Sunderland could be difficult. But the Black Cats have spun out their search for Simon Grayson’s replacement to the point where Northern Ireland’s immediate future has become clear.

The Republic of Ireland conclude their play-off against Denmark on Tuesday. Going out could prompt John O’Shea to consider his international playing career but with the Black Cats hoping to land an experienced boss, the prospect of the centre-back as player-manager seems less likely than the bookmakers odds might suggest.

O’Neill would be an “inspirational” appointment for anyone according to Evans, who was on loan at Sunderland when they were last in the Championship.

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“As a manager, he’s unbelievable, we all love him and every single player plays for him,” said the West Bromwich Albion centre-back.

“He’s such a good manager and it would be a shame to lose him. But we know on the other side, management is such a difficult job and if something came up, where it would be difficult to turn down, no-one would ever begrudge him that.”

Evans, whose brother Corry had a loan spell at Carlisle United, described O’Neill as being tactically astute as well as inspirational. O’Neill has yet to resign as Northern Ireland manager, and they will hope to keep the 48-year-old, who has been with them for six years.

“He’s so inspirational, he’s very tactical,” he said.

“Even the other night, we had just got off the plane and were on the bus on the way to the hotel. He had watched the first half (of the first leg) and he came down the bus and he was like, ‘We’re calling a meeting and we’re going to watch it because you didn’t play that bad, there are so many basic things you can improve on’.